A larger than usual gathering of all creatures (mostly dogs, and one very brave cat named Maharajah) great and small with their human companions took place in church on Friday 3 October for our annual Animal Blessing Service on Feast Day of St Francis, Patron Saint of animals. The animals were well behaved during the hymns, prayers and music, and reacted well to being blessed with a splash of holy water. All present enjoyed the refreshments which followed and a